Ambush Valley: Vietnam 1965-1975

I thought somewhere there was a suggested format for a book review. But I can't find it. A review of this book was requested when I mentioned it some time ago, and finally here it is.

Ambush Valley: Vietnam 1965-1975

Authors: Piers Brand, Joseph Trevithick, and Shawn Carpenter

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, Ltd, 2011

Paperback. 176 numbered pages, plus 8 pages of Fog of War and Booby Trap cards for use with Force on Force rules.

The simplest way to describe this book is that it is the single best book on Vietnam for wargamers I have ever seen. While it is number three in the Force on Force series, very little in it limits it to those rules. The introduction covers figure availability (somewhat dated now) and alternate basing ideas.

The next 21 or so pages give new and alternate rules to use with Force on Force for Vietnam. However many things would be easily adapted to other rules, although they would probably all be covered in Vietnam specific rule sets.

There are six or seven pages about the history of the war itself.

The next 100-110 pages are the heart of the book. It might be called a series of descriptive essays on organization (up to and including company level), vehicles, and armament of virtually all of the forces in the war. This includes not only those forces in Vietnam itself, but also the other countries Communist North Vietnam invaded, namely Laos and Cambodia. This is not some dry recital of tables of organization, but a very interesting read on almost any unit a wargamer would be interested. To illustrate my point, one section is called The Thai Unity Battalions and Other Irregulars. These pages provide a lot of information that would be of interest to wargamers beyond the numbers and weapons.

Just the right level of history is mixed in to appreciate the units involved.

Those 100-110 pages, divided into two main section called Unit Organizations and A Not So Secret War - Laos and Cambodia, could well be considered the starting point for wargaming any of the troops involved in the war. In fact, they could well be the end point too, except for complete painting guides. But there are quite a few illustrations from various Osprey books that show uniforms, in color.

Scattered throughout are sidebars with special rules ideas that generally are applicable to any rule set.

There is a multi-page vehicle list that is informative. Vehicle armor info is in terms of not so many inches or millimeters, but dice for Force on Force. This is followed by six scenarios.

Besides the Osprey uniform illustrations, there are some black and white photos from the period, and lots of color photos of Piers Brand's lovely wargame setups.

This book is highly recommended. Buying it is a bit difficult. It is out of print. The best place to look for it is www.bookfinder.com. Put in the the first author's name and the complete title from above. Bookfinder does not sell books but it scours thousands of booksellers and lists those copies found and the price, with or without shipping. Today, the cheapest I saw was about $53.00 with shipping. I saw one a few months ago for about $27.00. Keep checking back from time to time to get a better price. It was originally published at $24.95.

Tom

I am of the same opinion as Tom even if I am not an experienced player!
This book is a veritable bible, I never tire of leafing through and studying it. a must!

Thanks Tom,

That format is perfect, thank you.

It is a pity it is no longer in print.  I have the earlier edition but have not been able to source this edition anywhere!

TEC,
The best place to look for it is www.bookfinder.com. Put in the the first author's name and the complete title from above. Bookfinder does not sell books but it scours thousands of booksellers and lists those copies found and the price, with or without shipping. Today, the cheapest I saw was about $53.00 with shipping. I saw one a few months ago for about $27.00. Keep checking back from time to time to get a better price. It was originally published at $24.95.

The above was from my review. Today there may be a better price.

Tom

Garryowen wrote: The best place to look for it is www.bookfinder.com.

Thanks Tom, 5 there today, $34.90, $131.15, $144.25, $188.83 and $278.83, the $188.83 being "New" the rest being "Used".

All AUD$$ which was nice to see and included postage so I got the $34.90.

Might back list it when I am done for $100.00

I am glad you got it at not a whole lot more than the original price.

I am surprised at only five. This link shows beaucoup. I see over thirty from different sellers. There are actually more than 30 listings, but some sellers list on multiple websites, like Alibris, Bibliophile, Amazon.

https://www.bookfinder.com/search/?full=on&ac=sl&st=sl&ref=bf_s2_a1_t1_1&qi=5pEL2mNVGTT1GaYtq,zJNvO1AzA_1497963026_1:2:1

Tom

Garryowen wrote:I am glad you got it at not a whole lot more than the original price.

Tom, that is extremely close to the original AUD price.  At the current rate that is about USD$24 + change including postage.

I am surprised at only five. This link shows beaucoup. I see over thirty from different sellers. There are actually more than 30 listings, but some sellers list on multiple websites, like Alibris, Bibliophile, Amazon.

https://www.bookfinder.com/search/?full=on&ac=sl&st=sl&ref=bf_s2_a1_t1_1&qi=5pEL2mNVGTT1GaYtq,zJNvO1AzA_1497963026_1:2:1

I did constrain myself to Australian sellers which is why I only got 5.  That usually keeps the price and postage reasonable.

Is this is in PDF form? It's the one I use for our Force on Force games.

Ambush Valley PDF

Tom, the format for book reviews can be found on Rod's first post for 13th Valley:

https://fieldsoffire.forumotion.com/t313-the-13th-valley

Don't forget to add the ratings (stars).

Hayes, that is the same cover. I believe there was an earlier edition which I have never seen, but that pdf looks like the cover of my book.

Tod, thanks for the link on the format.

Tom

My hard copy has arrived, as new condition, time for a good read.

I sold all my Ambush Alley/Force on Force/Tomorrow's books and supplements, but kept Ambush Valley because it is a font of info. Nice review, Tom!

good review Tom .

I have the first printing , and although only played it two or three times (maybe four) when it was new , I think it is a great resource .